Stage 2, grade 2 invasive breast cancer and 2 +nodes

Hi,

Im 47 and was diagnosed at the start of December after finding a tiny deep lump which I thought was a cyst. Had my routine mammogram and went back two weeks later to be told I needed biopsies. (Plural even though I only felt one small lump) turned out there were three areas of concern: the lump, a cyst and a swollen lymph node. Have had 2 surgeries in January a wide local excision and axillary node clearance where there was 2+ nodes one more than 2mm. Didn't get clear margins the first time as there was a DCIS <2mm and two LCIS <2mm on the border of the excision. Just heard tonight that they got a clear margin in the last surgery. So just waiting on my oncotype dx results and to meet with the oncologist to see if chemo will be needed. It's been scary and I've had my self dead and buried on several occasions but I've decided I can't think like that. 

Had a drain after first surgery and the recovery was great. This time no drain and a massive swooshing seroma which has been drained twice in the past week. 

Has anyone had the oncotype dx test and been told they wouldn't benefit from chemo?  I would like to avoid chemo if possible because I have other health issues but I also want to throw everything I can at this to get the best results so interested to hear people's views on this. 

Thanks 

  • Hi Dino, nice to "meet" you. I had a grade 3 aggressive and fast growing tumour removed from my breast in March 2021. A sample was sent off to America for oncotyping and it came back with a score of 30. As you probably know 25 is the magic number. Under that and you probably won't need chemo, over 25 you probably will. I had 6 cycles of chemo 3 weeks apart throughout summer 2021 and then 5 straight days of radiotherapy. 

    Remember, whatever number your oncotyping comes back as, the decision about chemotherapy is ultimately yours. I really hope that you have a good oncologist and that you feel confident in their ability to give you the best advice. Be guided by them but make your own decision as at the end of the day it's your body and your life. Do whatever feels right for you.

    Wishing you all the very best for a nice low onco score and good luck with whatever treatment you decide to have. Please do post again with news of that result.

    Sending love and positive vibes, Mog, xx

  • Hi Mog, 

    Thank you for your reply. Haven't met the Oncologist yet think they are waiting on my results to come back first. Will update once I know my score. How accurate is Oncotyping? I take it they test your actual tumour with the various chemo drugs (I will have to read up on this more) 

    Thank you for the positive vibes. Xx 

  • Hi Dino  I had the oncotype dx test and my score was 7 so would nt benefit from Chemo. I was pleased with this and I had 15 sessions of radiotherapy. Good luck with your results and journey. We all seem to have a very different journey

  • Hi Saltholme,

    That is good news, it's so good that this test is available. Hoping I get a low score especially with my other conditions chemo will mean I have to stop my other treatments. 

  • Hi Dino1000. I'm waiting for oncotype dx score too. I'm 46 and very nervous. I had my grade 2 30mm lump removed and 2 sentinel nodes 2 weeks ago. I haven't heard about margins or the nodes yet but I do know the plan was to get onco dx done. Feeling so anxious. I've become obsessed with reading up about breast cancer  on Google. I know I shouldn't but I need to prepare myself. I have no pearls of wisdom...just wanted to say that I know how you're feeling and I have my fingers crossed for us to get positive news. 

  • Hi BlueSatsuma,

    How long have you been waiting on the oncotype results? I was told 2 weeks by my breast nurse but some people have said longer so I'm not getting my hopes up just yet. My pathology was back in a week so hopefully you will hear soon and get clear margins. Having the second surgery definately set me back quite a bit. I am the same feel anxious and I'm reading up on Google (prob too much) I have been obsessed with the NHS predict website so I have had to stay away from it. Fingers crossed we get good news from the Oncotype tests and going forward.

  • Hi, well its been 2 weeks since surgery and my results appointment is still 4 weeks away. I will have waited 6 weeks with no idea of whether it's in lymph nodes or if clear margins were achieved. My nurse says the wait is so long as oncotype typically takes 3 to 5 weeks and they then have a meeting before calling patients back for results. I'm going out of mind to be honest. Might go back to work just to keep busy. It's so good that they told you results after 2 weeks. I hope you hear about onco dx soon. Good luck. X

  • Hi! Just a note to wish you both good luck with your results. I know just what it's like to wait for news. I was lucky in that my oncotyping came back really quickly. My delay was a 2 month wait for the results of the mammogram that found the cancer but once the tumour was found I had a biopsy the next week and got that result very quickly. I don't understand the delay that you are experiencing for oncotype results but I really hope you get news very soon. 

    Do keep us informed and please do try not to worry too much. There is nothing you can do to change the results now and whatever they are you will be able to deal with it. You are so much stronger than you think, just take one day at a time and you will get through.

    Thinking of you, Mog, xx

  • Hi Saltholme,

    I got my oncotype result this week, score of 15 but they are only giving me 9 sessions of radiotherapy. I have just picked up my tamoxifen and have to get a monthly injection after radiotherapy. Very pleased not to need chemo with my other health issues. It took 3 weeks for my oncotype results to come back in the end. 

  • Hi BlueSatsuma,

    Have you received your oncotype result yet? Mine took 3 weeks to come back in the end.